Cutter for linerless paper

Abstract

A cutter for self-adhesive labels has a top part and a bottom part and a feeding gap between the top part and the bottom part. The cutter includes further a cutting mechanism having a blade and coupled to one of the top part and the bottom part. Further, the cutter has a transport and guiding device for the labels, wherein the transport and guiding device includes a transport roll located opposite the cutting mechanism. The feeding gap receives an adhesive paper or label sheet and the transport roll pulls the adhesive paper or label sheet through the feeding gap. The adhesive paper or label sheet passes between the cutting mechanism and the transport roll, and the blade cuts the adhesive paper or label sheet against a curved surface of the transport roll.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A cutter for self-adhesive labels, wherein each self-adhesive label has an adhesive layer applied on one side so that the label constitutes a carrier tape, the cutter comprising: 
       a top part and one bottom part;  
       a feeding gap between the top part and the bottom part;  
       a cutting mechanism having a blade having a straight form and coupled to one of the top part and the bottom part; and  
       a transport and guiding device for the labels, wherein the transport and guiding device includes a transport roll located opposite the cutting mechanism and a spring acting against the transport roll to press the transport roll against the top part, the spring exerting a force on the transport roll in a direction substantially opposite a force applied by the cutting mechanism, wherein a surface of the transport roll has an elastomeric liner, wherein the feeding gap receives an adhesive paper or label sheet and the transport roll pulls the adhesive paper or label sheet through the feeding gap, wherein the adhesive paper or label sheet passes between the cutting mechanism and the transport roll, wherein the blade cuts the adhesive paper or label sheet against a curved surface of the transport roll, wherein a tip of the blade penetrates the elastomeric liner while cutting the adhesive paper or label sheet, and wherein the blade is moveable in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the transport roll and in a direction perpendicular to a transport direction of the adhesive paper or label sheet over the transport roll.  
     
     
       2. The cutter of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting mechanism and the transport and guiding device are configured so that the blade cuts the adhesive paper or label sheet before cutting an underlying adhesive layer of the adhesive paper or label sheet, which is in direct contact with the transport roll. 
     
     
       3. The cutter of  claim 1 , further comprising a guiding element and a drive spindle, wherein the blade is attached to the guiding element, and wherein the guiding element and the drive spindle, driven by an electric motor, moves the blade along a cutting line. 
     
     
       4. The cutter of  claim 3 , further comprising a cam located inside the guiding element, wherein the cam is configured to set an initial position of the tip of the blade in relation to the transport roll to ensure that cutting the adhesive paper or label sheet does not damage the transport roll. 
     
     
       5. The cutter of  claim 3 , wherein a cylindrical iron part is attached to a back of the blade for secure retention of the blade in the guiding element. 
     
     
       6. The cutter of  claim 3 , wherein a permanent magnet is located in the guiding clement facilitating disassembly and re-assembly of the blade during cleaning or replacement. the guiding element and the drive spindle, driven by an electric motor, moves the blade along a cutting line. 
     
     
       7. The cutter of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of rotatable rolls to provide for a plurality of points of support for the adhesive paper or label sheet during transport through the cutter, wherein the rolls contact an adhesive-coated side of the adhesive paper or label sheet only at the plurality of points of support. 
     
     
       8. The cutter of  claim 7 , wherein the rolls are made of a non-stick material. 
     
     
       9. The cutter of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive paper or label sheet is guided through the cutter by being pulled. 
     
     
       10. The cutter of  claim 1 , further comprising first sensors configured to control a position of the blade. 
     
     
       11. The cutter of  claim 1 , wherein the cutter comprises a hinge for opening and closing the top and bottom parts of the cutter, and wherein the cutter further comprises second sensors configured to monitor if the cutter is in the open position or the closed position. 
     
     
       12. The cutter of  claim 1 , further comprising a hinge connecting the top part and the bottom parts and a locking flap located opposite the hinge and configured to secure the cutter in a closed position, wherein the hinge can be positioned to a right or to a left of the cutter and the locking flap is always located opposite the hinge. 
     
     
       13. The cutter of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric liner of the transport roll is made of a material such that no cutting traces appear in the elastomeric liner.